Cello with Erica M.

I'm a classically trained cellist with more than 20 years experience on my instrument. I have a nontraditional background in audio and experimental music that is grounded in improvisation. I employ a variety of teaching techniques that are both traditional and nontraditional, but flexible to the needs of individual students. I aim to remove the pressures of virtuosity and perfection, and instead assist my students in learning through an individualized approach. While the focus on creating a strong foundation through mastery of technique is crucial, creating an accessible learning environment for students of all skill levels is my highest priority. I encourage students to explore musical and creative boundaries through composition, improvisation, and experimentation in addition to learning foundational skills. As a cellist, I have performed works at various venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Edgar Miller Legacy, Garfield Park Conservatory, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Epiphany Center for the Arts, Constellation Chicago, and have been featured on The Wire Magazine. I frequently work in collaboration with teaching composers at Northwestern University and have toured with the Emmy Award winning performance collective, Manual Cinema.